Playing with Fire

Chapter One
Izumi, the Princess of the East

"Come, my dear, it won't be that bad."

"It won't be that bad? Lord Sesshomaru is a cold dog with no aptitude for emotions. I think it'll be worse than that bad."

"Izumi, you shouldn't say things like that!"

"Mother, you've told me time and time again that I shouldn't lie, and when I tell the truth for the first time in a century, you scold me for it."

"You're being childish, Izu."

"No, I'm being realistic. Everyone knows how he is."

"And you're going to believe what you hear simply because everyone else says it?"

"When it comes to him, yes."

"What about that human girl then? The one he's been taking care of for years?" Silence. "Precisely, my dear. You shouldn't judge him so quickly. Besides, the union between you and Lord Sesshomaru will make your father very proud."

A loud sigh escaped from the younger demoness' lips, and she watched her mother's form in the mirror, wincing lightly as the Lady of the East twisted a strand of her thick black hair before pinning it to her head. Rumiko made a few more adjustments, then stepped back, smiling at her sour-faced daughter.

"Izumi, that expression doesn't suit you, dear. Smile!" The pup scowled in response, and her mother sighed softly, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder and fixing her with a sympathetic gaze. "Izu, I know that you think this is one of the worst matches your father and I could've made, but you have to understand that we've been debating over it since the Council proposed the idea a half a century ago. Won't you trust our judgement, just this once? Please?"

After a moment, Izumi nodded stiffly, grimacing at the thought of what she was agreeing to before standing and allowing a brief smile to flit across her face. Her mother smiled in return, taking her clawed hand in her own and squeezing her fingers. "Thank you, daughter."

Izumi chose not to respond, and followed her mother out to the waiting carriage, bidding her home goodbye one last time before shutting the door and settling into the plush seats. She committed her mother's proud, happy expression to memory, and vowed that she would at least try to get along with the Western inu.

--|--|--|--|--

Rin had always thought that her lord was one of the most beautiful demons she had ever seen in her entire life, but now, watching the Eastern Princess climb from her transport, she wasn't so sure.

The inu demoness was stunning in a black kimono, gold stitching depicting swirling patterns on the sleeves and hem. Her obi was colored gold, the black stitching creating a contrast that made Rin's eyes widen as they drifted up towards the demoness' face, instantly locking with an intense pair of emerald eyes, framed by pitch black lashes and topped with delicately arching brows. Rin blinked and swallowed, averting her eyes as the Princess stopped before them.

A rustle of fabric alerted her, and she followed Sesshomaru's example, bowing deeply as the demoness did the same.

"Lord Sesshomaru, it is an honor." Her voice was soft, gentle, but Rin felt that there was something forced about her greeting, and she snuck a glance at Sesshomaru, wondering if he noticed the terseness. He gave no indication, only inclining his head slightly to acknowledge his mate-to-be's words.

"Rin."

"Hai, my lord." With a small smile, Rin turned to the inu, bowing before speaking. "My Lady, if you would come with me, I shall show you to your rooms and help you prepare for dinner." There was a short silence, but the demoness nodded and smiled lightly at the human.

"Of course."

--|--|--|--|--

Sesshomaru watched as the inu demoness followed after his ward, allowing his eyes to briefly trail their progress.

Our mate-to-be is most pleasing to the eyes

The inu resisted the urge to scoff at his beast's antics, but agreed silently, remembering the vivid green eyes and the spark that had consumed them when he failed to acknowledge her greeting by giving one of his own. He smirked internally before turning and heading toward his study, recalling with some disgust that he had work to do and a dowry to collect.

--|--|--|--|--

Author's Note
In regards to the points of view, they'll always be separated by the little dash-line combination you see up above, and I might use Rin and Izumi's POV's more than Sesshomaru's... I'm a bit afraid of not portraying him correctly, ya know? Anywho, I hope you enjoyed!
TTFN!
[Ta-Ta For Now]